Domain Name Essay

Browsing through different domain servers, I would suggest a well known and established company. I would suggest the use of GoDaddy. com. I have personally used the service and can attest to their customer service available 24/7 via telephone and live chat. The provider also offers free personalized email, DNS control and status alerts for the page. The prices are competitive with other companies with assistance in not only hosting the site, they will assist in the building and maintenance of the site. As far as domain name, at the time of searching the domain name of FreeFluShotsForElderly. org is available. I would suggest the use of a . org vs another due to the public misconception of their view towards the extensions. A normal individual may recognize a . org extension as a non-profit vs if it was a . com and not believe it to be non-profit. The name, while long, also would be easily memorable in terms of the elderly as well as being easily located with search engines as well. Another possible alternative is to continue with a purchase like this and purchase similar domain names along the same lines and with different extensions for a cheaper price. With the purchase of the additional domain names, you can reroute users from those sites to your â€Å"trunk† site that is being maintained. Not only would this assist with individuals typing in the wrong address, it would assist with people who are looking for different sites that are mistakenly brought to this organization’s site.

The Snow Man by Wallace Stevens

Afterlife: the complete emptiness Wallace Stevens (1879–1955) wrote most of his poems during the world wars period, which took the lives of millions of people. As a result, Wallace Stevens started to question the importance of religion in the modern era, and felt that you should enjoy your life in the present and not waste time living for an afterlife. In his poem â€Å"The Snow Man†, Stevens describes a harsh winter environment creating a unique dramatic situation through an effective imagery. He leads the reader from a relatively objective description of a winter scene to a subjective emotional response. Roberts Pack’s essay on â€Å"The Snow Man† discusses the idea of perception, while David Perkins while focuses on the relationship between imagination and reality through the perspective of the snow man. Is Wallace Steven concerned with imagination and reality, or perception? In â€Å"The Snow Man†, the atypical syntax and logic of the poem, as well as the usage of imagery, compels the reader to perceive the poem from an untraditional in order to both understand the role of nature and realize its very theme is death. The title of the poem â€Å"The Snow Man† is very confusing for the reader. At first we â€Å"visualize balls of snow placed on top of each other, coals for eyes, a carrot nose† as Perkins implies, and don’t see the relation with the poem. But after a few readings we discover the snow man and the listener are one individual. The lines â€Å"One must have a mind of winter† (1. 1) and â€Å"And have been cold a long time†(2. 1) indicate in my opinion the listener is dead. Why so? Winter implies cold, and cold equals death. So if the snow man has a mind of winter, it means he is dead. The snow man is indeed an image to describe this dead body, which is recovered by ice and snow. It is also a symbol of the cycle of life, which always ends with death. Once spring is here, the snow man will melt, it won't last forever. Just like a dead body would decompose, and turn into dust. In fact, we get the sense that we are reading through the listener’s mind. The first thing that is noticeable about the poem is that it is actually just one long, complex sentence, there is no rhyme, and each line has a different length. One question that may arise with is this: if the poem really was meant to imitate the mind's flow of thought, then why did Stevens write it in just one line instead of dividing it into five tercets? Without this specific structure the poem would lose in mood and tone. The dramatic situation is set on a cold and quiet winter day, with very little movement in the surroundings. The poem itself should be the same, gentle and unhurried. This is achieved with the use of pauses after lines and stanzas. Because when someone dies his soul is liberated from the burdens of life. The fourth line of the poem gives it this mood and tone too. It provides a further slowing down with the use of one syllable words, and of assonance with the long â€Å"o† sound â€Å"cold/long†, reinforcing the idea of the time passing and death. We can divide the poem into two distinctive parts. The first part (from the beginning to half of the seventh line â€Å"Of the January sun†), correlates with the dead man losing all sorts of feelings because of the cold. The speaker describes the harshness off the environment surrounding the dead man. The words employed are very particular, achieving nuances which contribute to the vividness of the picture. For instance, the word â€Å"crusted†(1. 3) is used instead of â€Å"covered,† suggesting not only that it covers, but also the snow's firmness and roughness. We can assimilate the snow to the roots of a tree. It is obvious that there is an accumulation of the â€Å"r† sound, as in â€Å"regard,† â€Å"frost,† â€Å"pine-trees†, â€Å"crusted†, â€Å"junipers†, spruces†, â€Å"rough†, â€Å"glitter†, and â€Å"January†, adding vividness to the description. One particular image contained in these lines is that of the â€Å"distant glitter/ of the January sun† (2. 3/3. 1). The use of the sound â€Å"i† in assonance, support the idea that the sun is so distant, it has no effect. The enjambment and the separation of the phrase â€Å"of the January sun† into the next stanza, also relates this idea of distance. So even if the sun is visible in the sky, it doesn’t play its true role: provide heat. The speaker is almost saying he prefers darkness. The dead man losing his mind is the main subject of the second part (from and â€Å"not to think† to the end). The listener considers his self a snow man, enabling him to view the world through different eyes, and thus enables him to see the vivid little details of the scene, which he would not normally see. The dead man is leaving behind his own mind and assuming the snow man’s mind, liberating him from any sufferance. This idea is supported by the word â€Å"think†, emphasized by the enjambment â€Å"and not to think / of any misery†(3. -2). Therefore, it is clear these lines aim to appeal to the reader's sense of hearing. It contains multiple instances of the word â€Å"sound,† as well as the words â€Å"listener† and â€Å"listen. † In addition, there also is a prevailing use of the sound â€Å"s† – â€Å"misery,† â€Å"sound,† â€Å"leaves,† †Å"same,† â€Å"listener,† â€Å"listens,† and â€Å"snow†, which mimics the hissing â€Å"sound of the wind†(3. 2). On top of this, it is known that the absence of one sense contributes to the acuteness of another. In this instance, the dead man gives up his sense of sight, and tries listening instead of looking. He is able to hear the normally soft, quiet â€Å"sound the wind†, and â€Å"the sound of a few leaves†(3. 3). I think the speaker addresses the use of sound, because sound tells us a lot about our surroundings even if we don’t use our vision. In our society sound enables us to communicate, and to lose this sense indirectly signifies we are as good dead. Another aspect of this process is the movement from something particular and small to something more vague and vast. The â€Å"boughs of pine-trees,† â€Å"the junipers,† and â€Å"the spruces† disappear to become â€Å"the same bare place†, and â€Å"the sound of a few leaves† becomes â€Å"the sound of the land†. Along the poem, the dead man disregards his self. Slowly he loses his thought (death of the mind) and feelings (death of the body), then his sense’s from sight to hearing are reduced, and finally loses his distinctiveness by assuming the snow man’s mind. And, since the mind of a snow man is lifeless, the listener would ultimately become nothing, as stated in the 14th line â€Å"And, nothing himself†. This idea of â€Å"being nothing† is, given importance by putting the phrase, â€Å"nothing himself† in the middle of the line instead of the beginning or end, and by the repetition of the word â€Å"nothing† in the last two lines. The last line of the poem â€Å"Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is†(5. 3), the longest of it, is given more importance because it holds the key to Steven’s message. The fricative â€Å"th† gives it an echoing sound. The line starts with the word â€Å"behold† (it means to see) due to the use of the enjambment in line 14, which emphasises the message of this particular word. By combining the words â€Å"Behold† and â€Å"nothing†, Stevens is saying the dead man, aka the â€Å"listener†, is just sitting there dead and there is nothing, nothing to think about and nothing to do. Even if the speaker does a concession in by opposing â€Å"is not there† vs â€Å"that is†. The speaker is inducing there is nothing in the afterlife. In conclusion, â€Å"The Snow Man† is a poem about death, and the emptiness of the world. The dead man or the listener gradually loses his body, and then his mind to a snow man. The snow man is an image of the body in this cold environment. By assuming the mind of a snow man, he is condemning himself to disappear physically and mentally. Wrapping it up can be argued Wallace Stevens message is that there is no afterlife and there is no point in believing in religion. It would be interesting to study how Stevens personal and professional life shaped his opinion on religion. Work Cited †¢ Wallace, Stevens. â€Å"The Snow Man†. The Columbia Anthology of American Poetry. Jay Parini. New York. Columbia University Press. Page 310. Print. †¢ Pack Robert. Wallace Stevens: An approach to his poetry and thought. New Brunswick: Rutgers UP, 1958. Copyright  © 1958 by Rutgers, The State University. †¢ Perkins, David. A History of Modern Poetry: From the 1890s to the High Modernist Mode (Cambridge: Harvard U P, 1976), 542-544

International Trade Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

International Trade Project - Essay Example In this the world price is $1 which is way below the domestic price of $3. Hence, at $1 domestic supply falls to 1, however quantity demanded in the domestic market rises to 16. This takes place primarily because of the inverse relation of quantity demanded and the direct correlation of quantity supplied with price. Assuming that there are no transport and other costs, domestic supply and demand takes place according to the world price. Since world production is infinite, at $1 the quantity sold will be 16. c. Assuming that free trade takes place i.e. there is no tariff laid on the goods imported from outside the domestic country; the equilibrium price stays at $1. Quantity supplied domestically is 1 however quantity demanded domestically is 16, which means there is a gap of 15 units of production. This gap is bridged by importing 15 units of the product from the world market. Hence, the output produced by domestic producers is 1 and that by the foreign producers is 15. Since the domestic price is higher than the world price and the country is an importer of the good, this implies that the rest of the world has a comparative advantage in the production of the good. The country is thus a net importer of the good and thus domestic consumers of the good are better off since they have to pay a lower price. d. Despite all the benefits of free trade, barriers to free trade do exist. Tariffs are excise taxes imposed on imported goods. As a tariff of $1 per unit is imposed, on one hand it raises the world price to $2 and hence the quantity demanded falls to 11 from 16 and on the other hand, the quantity supplied rises from 1 to 4. The gap between domestic supply and demand falls from 15 to 7. Hence, under $1 tariff situation, a total of 11 units are sold at $2. Tariffs are imposed primarily for protecting the domestic market. As already seen, the major and immediate impact of tariff is the rise in the price level. Since price is inversely

Political science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 7

Political science - Essay Example Chief of staff identifies the leader of an intricate institution or body of individuals who is the coordinator of the endorsing or supporting staff. Chief of staff offers a buffer between the executive’s direct reporting team and the chief executive. The chief of staff has the duty to advice and confidante the chief executive. The roles of the chief of staff depend on the people involved and the actual position. Filibuster or talking out a bill can be defined as any obstructive techniques utilized to prevent a measure from being brought on the floor of the house for vote. The most familiar form of filibuster takes place when a senator tries to delay a vote on a crucial bill by extending the debate or discussion on the measure. The main intention of a filibuster is delaying or killing legislation from approval. Due to the fact, the senate carries out its activities based on unanimous consent; one person can establish a delay by opposing to the request. In some scenarios, such as considering resolution on the day the legislation is brought from the House, the delay could last the whole day. Since the delay is a legislative day, the majority of members can address it by adjourning the session. A bill refers to a proposed law under deliberation by lawmakers or legislatures. In order for a bill to become a policy or law, it must be passed by the lawmakers and consented by the executive. A bill is introduced in the House by the executive where the legislatures meet and discusses the requirement of the executive. They debate the authenticity of the bill and reach a consensus. In case, the legislatures disapprove it, it does not qualify to be a law but once they approve it, the executive signs it into law. Veto power is the power given to nations such as France, Russia, United States of America, Britain and China by the United Nation to unilaterally stop or endorse an official

Financial Statement Fraud and Revenue Recognition Fraud Essay

Financial Statement Fraud and Revenue Recognition Fraud - Essay Example We can define financial fraud as an intentional act to deceive people through manipulated financial statements for personal gain (â€Å"Bank Negara Malaysia† 1). Financial fraud is crime under civil law and involves complex financial transactions conducted by white-collar business professionals with a criminal intention (â€Å"Bank Negara Malaysia† 1). Nevertheless, financial fraud derives numerous loses on the global economy and on the reference corporations where many companies collapse due to financial frauds. Additionally, financial fraud demeans investor confidence in financial reporting and lowers the efficiency of corporate governance. A financial statement fraud refers to an intentional misrepresentation of financial information that the corporation presents to the public. Notably, improper revenue recognition, failure to record incurred liabilities, and failure to disclose contingent liabilities are the most dominant financial statement frauds (Bradford 1). Cas es of financial statement fraud are on the increase and the economic crisis catalyzes the problems. Nevertheless, most of the financial statement frauds relate to revenues recognition while accounting errors take the other proportion. As such, internal and external auditors should understand the dynamics of revenue recognition fraud and institute proper measures to curb financial fraud. Ideally, financial statement fraud and revenue recognition fraud relate to financial fraud. Definition Financial statement fraud refers to an intentional misrepresentation, misstatement, or omission of financial statement data for the purpose of deceiving the public and creating a false impression of an organization's financial strength (Colby 1). Notably, financial statement fraud is an enormous challenge in the global market as corporations seek to stalk investors to continue investing in the corporation. Moreover, corporations engage in financial statement fraud for purposes of securing bank appro vals for financing and satisfy the shareholder’s interests (Bradford 1). Ideally, the top management plays the major role in a financial statement fraud since they supervise and authorize the preparation of financial statements. There are different forms of financial statement fraud in the global market where the initiators will use distinct systems of manipulation to maintain the appearance of the financial statement fraud. The most common types of financial statement fraud include manipulation of liabilities, improper recognition of revenues and expenses, improper asset valuation, improper disclosures (Pinkasovitch 1) on financial statements, and fictitious sales (Colby 2). However, manipulation of revenue is the most dominant form of financial statement fraud. This includes the posting of sales prior to payment while the manipulation of expenses includes the capitalization of normal operating expenses (Bradford 1). On the other hand, the manipulation of liabilities relates to failure to record regular expenses while improper disclosures relates to misrepresentation of the company’s financial status (Bradford 1). An overstatement of current assets on financial statements leads to improper assets and defines financial statement fraud (Colby 2).  

Economic Analysis Project Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Economic Analysis Project - Research Paper Example The overall national income of United States of America is being decreased. Highest concern has been raised about the job or labor market of the country. There are number of people who are looking for suitable jobs and are not able to find one. On the other hand the average take home wages have been decreasing considerably (Pear, 2011). This all results in further increasing the issues and problems for the economists and policy makers, who are in search of different ways to come out of the after affects of the economic recession. Government of United States of America along with other policy makers are busy in devising such a policy or strategy which facilitates them in the process of recovering. Different policies and initiatives are being taken by the officials and policy makers, but despite of this there has been continuous decrease in the overall income and output level of the economy. It has been reported that the national income of United States of America decreased by almost 9 .8 percent after the recession till June this year. According to different economics analysts, this is one of the largest decline in past few decades (Pear, 2011). Despite of the little improvement in overall unemployment rate, the average wage rate is reporting constant decline (Pear, 2011). This issue is not only of high importance for the job seekers, but also for job providers and the government of United States of America. As it has direct link with the overall economic condition of the country. And there is a high need of coming up with some effective strategy in order to overcome this problem. In order to solve this issue or problem, it is necessary to first identify the reasons and causes behind it. This is possible only through a proper and thorough applied economic analysis. APPLIED ECONOMIC ANALYSIS FOR IDENTIFYING MAIN REASONS BEHIND THE ISSUE AND COMING UP WITH EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES: In order to better understand the overall situation it is important to have a look at th e basic elements and factors which are directly related to the issue. First step in this regard is to identify and explore the reasons and factors behind the constant decrease in the wage rates and also in the overall national income of the country (Pear, 2011). Different analysts have presented several elements which are responsible for this. One of the main factor for this declining wage rate is high unemployment rate. There are several people who are in search of job, who are also ready to work at nominal hourly rates. Along with this, employees cannot demand high salary because of the increasing unemployment. It will be easy to understand these factors by applying the concept of supply and demand. In a normal market prices and level of output are decided by the forces of supply and demand. Similarly, in labor market wage rates are decided by the supply and demand of the labor. The concept of Marginal Productivity, tried to explain the relationship between the wage rate and deman d of the labor. According to this concept the wage rates are directly related to the demand of the labor. If there is more demand of labor the average wage rates will also increase. Whereas the there is an inverse relationship between the supply of labor and wage rates. If the supply of labor exceeds the demand of labor, then there is a significant decrease in th

Significant Events in the Middle East After 1850 Term Paper

Significant Events in the Middle East After 1850 - Term Paper Example Saddam hated living with the step father which prompted him to move to his uncles, subsequent to his release from prison. At this point Saddam was a 10-year-old boy. Saddam then went to Baghdad to continue with his schooling where he joined high school. But, he enjoyed politics than school. To his rescue, his uncle helped him make a debut in politics. In 1957, he joined his uncles party Baath. His membership started with a low tone, until 1959 when he was appointed a member of the squad Assassination. He, however, fled Iraq after a failed assassination attempt in the same year, of the then prime minister. Then he went to Syria for one month and then to Egypt, where he stayed for three years in exile. Saddam was a brutal and ruthless president as depicted by most of his actions during his time as the president of Iraq. For instance, he executed three hundred military officers in the year 1982, after their rebellion on his approach of fighting with Iraq. He ousted out of power in 2003 by US forces and after he was found guilty of various human atrocities he was hung in 2006. (thefamouspeople.com, 2010) Yasser Arafat was born in 1929 in the city of Cairo by a Palestinian father with an ancestry of Egypt and his mother was a Palestinian. His mother died while he was just 5 years of age. Subsequently, he moved to live with a material uncle in the city of Jerusalem. After living in Jerusalem for four years, his father took him back to the city of Cairo to be taken care of by an elder sister alongside other siblings. he never attended his fathers funeral in the year 1952. While in Cairo, before age 17, Arafat used to smuggle fire arms to Palestine with the aim of their being used against the Jews and the British. During the period of the war between the Arab states and the Jews, he abandoned his studies at Cairo University so as to go and battle against the Jews around the area of Gaza. He later

The Pro and Con of Obama's New Healthcare Policy Essay

The Pro and Con of Obama's New Healthcare Policy - Essay Example However, there has been a stir of controversies revolving around the implementation of the reform in the health sector. Some of the controversies that have been noted include the effectiveness of the reform, incurred costs, and the impact of this particular reform on the debt of the United States. As a fact, many cons and pros can be derived from the Obamacare reform. Many families, individuals and the society as a whole are bound to benefit (Zephyros Press, 2013). Similarly, the Obamacare deems to benefit the medical practitioners in the United States. Since it is a collective benefit for many professionals, individuals and society, it is a prudent approach in the health sector. The first positivity of the Obamacare is provision of affordable healthcare to the entire population of the United States. Apparently, the reform is to provide affordable health insurance to the whole population in the country. It has been noted that many people do not have health insurance due to the high r ates payable for health insurance. Since some people have skewed budgets, they are not in a position to afford the basic services of healthcare insurance (Tate, 2012). This has affected a large part of the population as they find it difficult to access some of the services incorporated in health insurance. Therefore, this will be a prudent approach to provision of such services to the people. This will be helpful especially to people that find it hard to cater for the up surging expenses of health insurance. The Obamacare is a positive approach to health insurance. As a fact, with the implementation of this reform, it is believed that over 32 million Americans will have access to health insurance. In addition to this, the initiation of this reform will help protect Americans from discriminatory health practices. Similarly, it will weed out unfair practices from the medical practitioners in the health sector (Maglione, 2011). It is noted that some insurance companies have established unfair and discriminatory practices in their scope of their service provision. Therefore, implementation of this reform will protect and encourage other Americans that often face unfairness from the discriminating insurance companies. This will pave way for a comfortable living for all Americans (Boehner, 2011). This will also have a positive impact on the health of many Americans as they will have equal opportunity. This is an encouraging aspect in ensuring equality for all Americans. The Obamacare is set to benefit a cross-section of individuals in the whole country. First, Unemployed persons in the United States will be in acceptance of the stated Obamacare. For example, unemployed persons with an annual income of up to 15, 000 will be legible for healthcare coverage. This will be effective from 2014 under the Medicaid, for single individuals (Pipes, 2013). However, unemployed persons with families will have to pay a higher amount for the same services. Secondly, patients will n ot face any discrimination when they need health coverage. For example, it is noted that many insurance companies do not cover patients that are diagnosed with existing conditions. It is noted that many insurance companies do not insure people with disabilities and deformities. Similarly, insurance companies are selective on patients with cancer and other diseases. However, with the provision of Obamacare, such patients will not be discriminated. Thirdly, patients who

How Do You Get People to Like You Essay Example for Free

How Do You Get People to Like You Essay Be polite. Be yourself. That way, people like you for who you are. Many of us mistakenly believe that its wrong or conceited, to think we have any good qualities. We may spend a lot of time berating ourselves for our negative qualities, thinking that self criticism is the key to improving our performance. However, a constant focus on our supposed shortcomings can hinder our efforts to make friends with other people. How can we have the confidence to make new friends if we think we dont have much to offer? How can we believe that others could like us if we believe our inner being is flawed? Or if we think we are too boring to interest anyone else? We may wonder what anyone else would see in us if we dont see any good in ourselves. In order for others to be attracted to us, they must be able to easily see our best qualities. If we focus on our good qualities we will have much more confidence that we have something of value to offer in a relationship. If you wish to be socially successful, its important to accept the fact that not everybody is going to like you under all circumstances. Not everyone is going to like the package you come in, especially on first meeting you. Every person has a unique pattern of likes and dislikes which were formed long before they met you. Dont think you have to condemn yourself as a failure if it seems that someone else doesnt like you. If someone seems to dislike you, the reason for that dislike might have little or nothing to do with you. The person who doesnt like you might be fearful, or shallow, or busy or shy. Perhaps you and that person are simply a mismatch for each other at this particular time. Dont take yourself out of the game by deciding that your flaws are bigger than your assets. In fact, some of the very qualities you consider to be flaws may be irresistible to someone else. For all the factors that might cause one person to reject you, there are at least as many factors that will work in your favor with someone else. You might be thirty pounds over your ideal weight, but you may have a wonderful laugh and a huge zest for life. There are many people to whom your extra pounds will literally be invisible. You may drive a shabby car, but you might be a great dancer and a loyal friend. There are people out there looking for loyalty, or fun, or sweetness, or wit, and the package it comes in is not important. If you are worried that you are not beautiful enough to attract friends, keep in mind that not everyone is looking for physical beauty in their friends. You can decide to feel inferior because you dont have much money and you dont drive a nice car. You can believe that this is the reason that you dont have many friends in your life. On the other hand, if you are very wealthy you may be suspicious that everyone is after your money and that nobody really likes you as a person. The point is, you can fixate on just about anything and believe its the reason you do not have friends and cannot make any. Here is an easy way to remind yourself of what your good qualities are: write down a list of your good qualities and review it often. Dont just think in your mind about what your good qualities might be, actually make the effort to write the list. The act of writing helps to reinforce the strength of the ideas in your mind. Dont be embarrassed to give yourself credit for your good points. If you dont have any idea what your good points might be, you might want to ask some of the people you know. When you compile your list of good qualities, be as generous in your praise as your best friend in the whole wide world would be! If you dont have any best friends yet, imagine in your mind a wise and loving friend who knows you truly and appreciates you. What would that person say are your good points? Here are some ideas that might be applicable to you. Feel free to adjust this list for yourself and add to it. My good qualities are: †¢Im kind †¢I never gossip †¢I go out of my way to help others †¢Im good with numbers †¢I have a calm disposition †¢I know a lot about sports You can keep your list with you and read it over every day. Add to it whenever you think of new good qualities you discover in yourself. Be alert for compliments that other people give you. The positive qualities that others see in you can go on your list as well. When you are out there meeting people, frequently remind yourself of all the wonderful qualities you have. Its only a matter of time before you meet other people who will appreciate them too! Learn to relax. Instead of berating yourself for some perceived shortcoming, concentrate on the good qualities you have to offer. Realize that there is an audience for your particular combination of gifts, and go looking for those people who will appreciate them.

Future of Nuclear Power in Sustainable Development Essay Example for Free

Future of Nuclear Power in Sustainable Development Essay With the population increase and economic growth, energy is becoming an essential part for development. To some extent, in any development process, reliable access to modern energy services is needed. However, the world is facing the energy imbalance: that of energy generation have consequences for the environment so meeting this growth in demand while safeguarding the environment poses a growing challenge. To date, the use of nuclear power has been concentrated in industrialized countries, which might play in filling the growing gap between what the world wants to consume in terms of energy and what the environment tells us we can sustain is considered. 1〠Development of Neural Power In the last few years, the nuclear power is mainly used in the industrialized countries. More and more countries pay their attention to the introduction of nuclear power programs, such as Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, etc, not limited to Asia. Also, other countries such as Argentina, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, and South Africa are working to expand their works. As is shown by statistics, of the worlds 439 currently operating nuclear power reactors, 403 (or 91%) are in either OECD countries or countries with economics in transition [1]. In terms of electrical generating capacity, 349 GWCe) out of 368 GWCe) , or 95% of nuclear generating capacity is installed in these countries. At present, nuclear power is a proven technology which has provided more than 16% of world electricity supply [2]. In the future of nuclear power, many different views are raised on its sustainable development, particularly to innovative reactors and fuel cycles [3]. There are a number of significant environmental benefits arising from the use of nuclear power, but it does raise its own environmental issues. During the operation, some radioactivity is released at a very low level into the environment either via filtered emissions to the atmosphere or in liquid form in the cooling water discharged to sea. Thus, on one hand, nuclear power is a hazardous energy and should be phased out. On the other hand, the nuclear power can be sustainably used. Comparing with the fossil-based energy, nuclear power does not emit CO2 and other hazardous emissions, which the impact of the nuclear power chains on the health and environment is less negative than those for fossil-based energy. Currently, Europe, North America and some countries in Asia have been enjoying the advantages of nuclear power. 2〠Status of Neural Power To date, the use of nuclear power is increasing. In terms of new construction, however , the pattern is different, 16 of the 30 reactors now being built are in developing countries and most of the recent expansion has been centered in Asia China, for example, currently has four reactors under construction, and plans a more than five- fold expansion in its nuclear generating capacity over the next 15 years. India has seven reactors under construction, and plans roughly a seven-fold increase in capacity by 2022. Japan, Pakistan and the Republic of Korea also have plans to expand their nuclear power capacity [4,5]. In the near future, additional countries in the Asia-Pacific region will choose the nuclear power option. Vietnam intends to begin construction of its first nuclear power plant in 2015. Indonesia plans to build two 1000 MW reactors in central Javaa. Recently, the Energy Generating Authority of Thailand announced plans to build two large nuclear plants, with construction to be gin in 2015. In Malaysia, a comprehensive energy policy study – including consideration of nuclear power- is to be completed by 2010 [6]. The resurgence of interest in nuclear power [7-9] is not limited to Asia. Other countries such as Jordan and Turkey are seriously considering or planning for the introduction of nuclear power programs. And many others, such as Aragentina, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan and South Africa, are working to expand existing programs. In the USA, where no new reactors has been ordered in 28 years, these trends, plus excellent performance of the existing nuclear fleet and financial incentives in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, have led to a race to develop new nuclear power plants. Twenty countries now have new plants either under construction or under development with well over half of these new nuclear plants likely to be built over the next two decades in five countries- China, India, South Korea, Japan and USA. Also, in the USA, several dozen reactors are in various stages of proposal development, while international nuclear vendors and service providers are forming new alliances. Finally, rising uranium prices have led to development of new mines. 3〠Rising Interest of Neural Power Any negative impact on the population health and environment is unacceptable. Once it happens, it will be phased out. The negative consequences for nuclear power would be the same. If it is not possible or too expensive to improve sufficiently their safety, we must insist on their closing. The international conventions for nuclear safety were carried out, which legally enhance nuclear safety. Also, the IAEA updated the safety standards for reflecting the best industry practices [10]. Importantly, both the IAEA and the world Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) , created international networks to conduct peer reviews and exchange operating information to improve safety performance. Another important factor is the strong performance of nuclear power that drives the renewed interest in nuclear power. Up to date, with more than half a century of operating experience, nuclear power is becoming a mature technology. In the past two decades, more and more significant improvements are made in nuclear power plant reliability, as well as lower operating costs and a progressively improved safety record. 4〠Problems of Nuclear Power a) Management of radwaste Annually, the spent nuclear fuel produced is about 10,000 tons, which is small when compared with the nearly 28 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) waste from fossil fuels [11, 12]. In addition, the radwaste is most concerned point in public. Based on the expert experiences, the reasonable geological disposal of high level radioactive waste is safe and feasible. But for public, it is likely remain skeptical, which the nuclear waste disposal will likely remain controversial. The emphasis in the problem of radwastes should be in obtaining the support of people. On one hand, we should provide true information on comparative assessment of different energy sources. We should provide a clear report that there is no risk for the population health and environment from radwaste repositories. On the other hand, as soon as possible the countries with suitable places for repositories should license them and start the disposal process. Moreover, cooperation will be effective to share the burden of the waste disposal cost for countries with small nuclear power programs. b) Technological innovation If we want to develop the new reactor or fuel cycle technologies, technological innovation is needed. Currently, the nuclear Research and Development (RD) projects are focused on enhancing nuclear safety, reducing proliferation risks, minimizing waste generation and improving economic performance [13]. In particularly, many developing countries, such as some countries in Asia, have been devoted to develop small and medium size reactor designs. These designs allow a more incremental investment than is required for a large reactor, and provide a better match to grid capacity in many developing countries. To some extent, these reactors are more adapted in applications [14]. c) Nuclear non- proliferation With the increasing expectations for nuclear power, there are concerns regarding the spread of nuclear weapons and sensitive nuclear technology. However, at the same time, the nuclear proliferation should be prevented. Now, a safeguard system has been established to guarantee the peaceful application of nuclear technology. An integrated system of safeguards can and should permit effective control of non-proliferation by a combination of technical measures and the extension of institutional measures [15]. It would occur in two steps. The first step would create a mechanism for the assurance of supply of nuclear fuel, possibly including fuel bank to be managed by the IAEA. For countries that use nuclear fuel for electricity generation, this mechanism would severe as a supplier of last resort, thereby removing the risk of having their fuel supply interrupted for non- commercial reasons. The second step would seek to bring any new operations for uranium enrichment and plutonium separation under multinational control. These multinational controls should also be extended to facilities that already exist- to ensure that all countries are treated equally in terms of their nuclear capabilities. d) Economic cost Although cost is perhaps not a major factor affecting plans for nuclear power in most areas of the world, in the United States, which has the worlds largest nuclear program and sufficient growth in electricity demand to support substantial growth in generating capacity, the cost of electricity has been the dominant factor in determining what type of capacity gets built [16]. As the United States has moved to reduce the economic regulation of electricity generation, cost has become a competitive focus, and â€Å"capital cost is the single most important factor determining the economic competitiveness of nuclear energy† (University of Chicago, 2004, p. xi). In 2009 the U.S. National Academies published a large study of energy technologies. After reviewing many previous studies, the authors noted that â€Å"cost estimates in the open literature have varied by more than a factor of two. Recent estimates have ranged from $2400/kW to as much as $6000/kW† (Committee on Americas Energy Future, 2009, p. 526). These are cost estimates for the United States. High costs are seen in the much-delayed new Finnish reactor, discussed further below. Until new plants are built in the United States, costs will remain a major uncertainty and an obstacle to growth of the industry. e) Public opinion Dana Mead, chairman of the MIT governing body, commented that â€Å"Nuclear power generates the most varied public opinion of any power generation type. According to MIT studies, 39% of those polled feel it should be reduced, 35% feel in should be increased and 11% dont believe it should be used at all — the highest fraction of people who are opposed to any type of generation† (remarks at the American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting, as quoted in Power Engineering, August 2007). In addition to proliferation and economic cost, the main controversies regarding nuclear power are whether the public will accept new nuclear plants, whether sites can be found where the public will accept a geological repository for their spent fuel, and whether future development should be based on the once-through or the closed fuel cycle [17]. Bringing the public into decision processes early will substantially improve the climate for nuclear power to go forward. (In the United States, the la w requires that the federal agencies make the final decisions.) 5〠Future of Nuclear Power While there are still uncertainties ahead, it seems quite likely at this point that, in the near-term, new nuclear power plants will be built, both in countries that already have substantial nuclear programs and in new countries. Thus, the number of countries with nuclear power plants will increase, and since some of these countries have small grids and limited infrastructures, it is likely that smaller reactors will be used to meet some of these needs [18, 19]. In the near-term, nuclear power growth will likely be met by existing technologies and those technologies for which substantial development has already occurred. Nuclear power development will not be the only source of power to meet growing energy demands and growing concerns about global warming. The near term is also likely to see the development and deployment of more renewable power of current or evolutionary design, and possibly of clean coal technology. Other options, such as increased conservation and the deployment of more energy efficient end-use technologies, will also be exploited. In the longer term, more advanced nuclear power plants, such as the Generation IV power plants, will likely be deployed. These will be able to meet a more diverse range of energy needs than the current generation of large, centralized electricity-generating power plants can meet. Possible applications include process heat for industrial applications, the generation of fuels such as hydrogen for transportation, and a variety of possible off-grid applications [20-23]. Likewise, other energy-generating technologies will continue to develop and will be deployed as appropriate. In the much longer term, these could potentially include fusion power. If that is successful, it could ultimately replace some of the technologies of today, including perhaps nuclear fission power. 6〠Conclusion Nuclear energy alone is not a solution, but it is likely in the near Future to have an increasing role as part of the global energy mix. Through the analysis and investigation, it is clear that nuclear power can bring significant long term benefits in terms of increased access to energy and security of energy supply. Nuclear power at present does possess proven technologies that ensure adequate safety level and safe radwaste disposal. Non-proliferation of nuclear materials is effectively supported by the system of IAEA safeguards. This structure is sound and it provides the basis for the further development of nuclear energy. However, the nuclear industry needs to work on new, innovative technologies in order: on one hand, to reduce the costs and thus answer the strong challenge of competing energy generation technologies, on the other hand, to facilitate the dialogue between the nuclear industry and the public by providing more transparent, convincing solutions and designs A success ful development of innovative nuclear technologies addressing these two key challenges would permit a large-scale development of nuclear energy in the next century. Thus, in the foreseeable future, the need for the development and deployment of more advanced versions of today’s energy production technologies will continue, and all promising technologies should be pursued. It is likely that different technologies could be favored in different circumstances. These circumstances could be based on a variety of factors, including national policy, regulatory and other mechanisms in different countries, and geopolitical situations (remoteness, availability of particular resources, etc.). Globally, it appears that the world is likely to need substantial new contributions from all sources, particularly those capable of supplying significant amounts of clean, low-carbon energy. Nuclear power is one of the most promising of these sources. References [1] International Automatic Energy Agency , Nuclear Technology Review, August 2006, IAEA, Vienna , Austria. [2] Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the period up to 2020, Reference Data series No. 1, July 2002, IAEA, Vienna , Austria. [3] International Automatic Energy Agency IAEA Bulletin, volume 49/1. September 2007, IAEA, Vienna, Austria. [4] Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, . [5] IAEA, 2008b.Nuclear Power Reactors in theWorld. IAEA Reference Data Series no. 2. Vienna. [6] IAEA, 2009. Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the Period up to 2030. IEAE Reference Data Series no. 1. Vienna. [7] Jones, J.M., 2010. U.S. support for nuclear power climbs to new high of 62%. Gallup.com, March 30. 2010. [8] Sustainable Development in a Dynamic world, world Development Report- 2005, World Bank. [9] Bharadwaj, A., Krishnan, L.V., Rajgopal, S., 2008. Nuclear Power in India: The Road Ahead. Center for Study of Science. Technology Policy, Bangalore (September). [10] Bilboa y Leon, S., 2009. Development of advanced nuclear reactors worldwide. Nucl.Plant J. September October. 27 (5), 36–42. [11] Rashad S.M. , Hammad , F.H.; Nuclear Power and the Environment ;Compartative Assessment of Environmental and Health Impacts of Eelectricity Generating Systems, Applied Energy 65 (2000) 211-229. [12] Rashad S.M. , Nuclear Power and the Environment Prospects and Challenges, Proceeding of Energy for Sustainable Development and Science for the Future of the Islamic World and Humanity Conference , Organized in Kuching / Sarawak , Malaysia 29 Sept-2 Oct. 2003 Islamic World Academy of Sciences, Amman , Jordan, 2006. [13] Innovative Technologies for Nuclear Fuel Cycles and Nuclear Power , Proceedings of International Conference held in Vienna, 23-26 Hune 2003 organized by IAEA et a1 , Vienna, Austria, 2004. [14] International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycle, . [15] Nuclear Power and Proliferation Resistance: Securing Benefits, Limiting Risk. American Physical Society, College Park, MD (May). [16] Chicago, University of., 2004. The Economic Future of Nuclear Power: Study Conducted at the University of Chicago. 2004(August). Cirincione, J., 2009. Chain reaction. Foreign Policy (May 7). [17] Nuclear Energy Study Group, American Physical Society Panel on Public Affairs, 2005. [18] MIT, 2003. The Future of Nuclear Energy: An Interdisciplinary MIT Study. . [19] Deutch, J.M., Forsberg, C.W., Kadak, A.C., Kazimi, M.S., Moniz, E.J., Parsons, J.E., 2009.Update of the MIT 2003 Future of Nuclear Power Cambridge, MA. [20] InterAcademy Council, 2007. Lighting the Way Toward a Sustainable Energy Future. Amsterdam. (October). [21] MacFarlane, A., Asselstine, J., Ahearne, J., 2008. The future of nuclear energy: policy recommendations . Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (December 11). [22] MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), 2003. The Future of Nuclear Power: An Interdisciplinary MIT Study. Cambridge, MA. [23] Nuclear Energy Agency (France), 2008. Uranium Resources Sufficient to Meet Projected Nuclear Energy Requirements Long into the Future. Paris (June 3).

Types of Communication

Types of Communication Introduction The topic researched is the different types of communication and their importance in the teaching environment. There are four main types of communication: verbal, non-verbal, written and visual. Each of these have there own way of passing on information from one person to another. They each have there own advantages and disadvantages. The report looks at each one in turn and looks at ways poor communication can cause barrier to learning. Verbal communication is a way of expressing yourself wth words and getting the correct message across. It can be spoken words either face-to-face or chatting on the telephone. It is important to set the right tone and pace and use simple words and less Jargon. The choice of words would also need to be considered as there may be learners for whom English would be their second language. In another word use KISS (Keep it Short and Simple). When communicating verbally it is important to use simple language and not to use Jargon. It would be best practise to back up the lessons with Visual aids and handouts for referencing. Introduce point in a logical order to avoid ambiguity and summerise key point regulary. Always give construcive feedback and allow the learners to ask question to confirm their understanding. When using verbal Communication remember to use KISS. Advantages Able to clarify and ask questions straight away Able to be flexible and adaptable according to the audience Able to check if the messages had been understood Build a rapport with learners, use humour. Disadvantages Tone and body language can give the wrong message The instruction can result in misunderstanding and incorrect responses if badly presented. Leaners may have different connotations for different words If no notes are taken then may be difficult to remember Non-Verbal Communication is the use of body language, facial expression, and hand movement to convey the message across. As a teacher, you should be aware of your body language, of your dress, the language used, as each of these are observed by your learners. The other areas that a teacher would need to be aware like making eye contact and addressing each of the learners. Also need to watch their facial expression to see how they are react. The teacher should be aware of his/her posture, gestures and body contact. The teacher would need to be positioned so they are visible to all learners, If the teacher is stood behind a desk, it can cause a divide. By paying attention to these attributes enables the teacher to send clear positive vibes to the learners and for the learners to feel safe and comfortable. Below is a diagram with some nonverbal ways to communicate. Advantages: able to communicate something that you dont want other to hear The conversation can be short and brief Able you to communicate in places where you are supposed to be silence. Disadvantages You cannot have long conversation. Difficult to understand and requires many repetitions. Written communication can be in forms of emails, handouts, presentations slides, manuals, and overhead projectors etc. It is another way of communicating to your learners using visual aids. When creating written documentation, it is best practise to keep the written documentation brief and precise. Making sure that no jargon, slang or abbreviation is being used. The wriiten documkentation must be spellchecked and proofread to see if anything can be misinterrpreted. A lot of colleges and unversities use a central database or Intranets to put their handouts and notes. Regardless of how the information is displayed it still need to be well written and the audience needs to considered. Advantages. Good for instructions and vital information There is a lesser chance for the message to be misunderstood. It is a good reference if you need to come back to it. Disadvantages Not very personal. Learners tend to forget to read them. There is no one to ask immediate. Difficult to engage a tone so can be misinterpreted eg emails. Barriers to Learning, due to poor communication. To avoid barriers to learning when using verbal and non-verbal communication the teachers would need to consider many factors. They would need to have knowledge and understanding of diversity and cultural differences. In some cultures, making direct eye contact can be seen as rude or offensive. They would need to take into consideration the audience i.e. age, disability, religion, learning difficulties. Their own body language would need to open and inviting. Using a simple language vocabulary would suit all levels of literacy learners. Establishing their level of the minimum core would enable the teacher to pitch at the right level for example not asking the class to do research on the computer if they have never used one. Most of the barriers can be overcome by the teacher, if they are receptive to the learners needs. Conclusion Professor Albert Mehrabian has pioneered the understanding of communications since the 1960s. His research provided the basis for the effectiveness of spoken communications. Here is a more precise (and necessarily detailed) representation of Mehrabians findings than is typically cited or applied: 7% of message pertaining to feelings and attitudes is in the words that are spoken. 38% of message pertaining to feelings and attitudes is paralinguistic (the way that the words are said). 55% of message pertaining to feelings and attitudes is in facial expression. (Mehrabian) As the saying goes, action speaks louder than words. If we are constantly aware of the signals, we send out and if it is done in a positive, approachable, and fair way then there is no reason why a teacher and learner cannot communicate in a successful way References Petty.G (Forth edition) Teaching Today: Communication blocks, p40 to p41 Gravells, A, Simpson, S, (2008) Planning and Enabling Learning: Communication p71-p87 Website addresses: http://www.cehjournal.org/download/ceh_13_35_044.pdf http://communicatebetter.blogspot.com/2009/03/causes-of-miscommunication-in-daily.html http://ukpmc.ac.uk/articlerender.cgi?artid=952211 http://www.uk-student.net/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=120 http://www.businessballs.com/mehrabiancommunications.htm http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/teachtip.htm#communication

Ayn Rand - A False Romantic Essay -- Biography Biographies Essays

Ayn Rand - A False Romantic The Romantic period at its height extended over just a bit more than a century, from the latter half of the eighteenth century through to nearly the end of the nineteenth century. During this period, a new school of poetry was forged, and with it, a new moral philosophy. But, as the nineteenth century wound down, the Romantic movement seemed to be proving itself far more dependent on the specific cultural events it spanned than many believed; that is, the movement was beginning to wind down in time with the ebbing of the industrial and urban boom in much the same way that the movement grew out of the initial period of industrial and urban growth. Thus, it would be easy to classify the Romantic movement as inherently tied to its cultural context. The difficulty, then, comes when poets and authors outside of this time period-and indeed in contexts quite different then those of the original Romantic poets-begin to label themselves as Romantics. The twentieth century author Ayn Rand, author of works such as The Fountainhead, Anthem, and Atlas Shrugged, is one such example of a self-labeled Romantic. In 1971 Rand published a collection of essays in a book she titled The Romantic Manifesto. This series of essays, with topics ranging from romantic art to the nature of a novel, carefully lays out Rand's conception of Romanticism and her place within it. The question one must ask, then, is how does Rand manage to write a work of nearly two hundred pages on the nature of Romanticism without ever once mentioning any of the key Romantic poets: Keats, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, and so on. The obvious answer would seem to be that Rand's conception of Romanticism must be diametrically opposed to that of... ...us, while one may draw valuable insights about some of the potential flaws of the Romantic's ideals and philosophy through a comparison with Rand, in the end it truly is a comparison of Rand and the Romantics, not a comparison of Rand and her fellow Romantics. Works Cited Bloom, Harold and Lionel Trilling, eds. Romantic Poetry and Prose. New York: Oxford University Press, 1973. Rand, Ayn. Atlas Shrugged. New York: Dutton, 1957. Rand, Ayn. The Romantic Manifesto. New York: Signet Publishing, 1975. Footnotes: 1 Preface to Lyrical Ballad; Bloom & Trilling, p. 595 2 Preface; Bloom & Trilling, p. 596 3 Biographia Literaria; Bloom & Trilling, p. 649 4 A Defence of Poetry; Bloom & Trilling, p. 751 5 The Romantic Manifesto; Rand, p. 103 6 The Romantic Manifesto; Rand, p. 122 7 Atlas Shrugged; Rand, p. 282-283 8 Atlas Shrugged; Rand, p. 1036 Â  

Concepts of Family and Home in Jane Austens Persuasion Essay -- Jane

Concepts of Family and Home in Jane Austen's Persuasion In Jane Austen's last completed novel, Persuasion, England is one large family with two distinct branches, the navy and the aristocratic upper class-it is no accident that the two large books consulted in the novel are the Baronetage and the Naval Lists. The naval family poses a threat to the aristocratic family; in fact, undertones of social instability riddle the text, through imagery of death, illness, and accident. The marriages of Anne Elliott, Louisa Musgrove, and Harriet Musgrove reveal a gentry which can only redeem itself through intermarriage with the professional meritocratic class, symbolically taking on their values of utility and social responsibility, and abandoning an idle aristocracy in decline. In Persuasion, the only novel of Austen's that does not center around a landed estate, the letting of Kellynch Hall shows an aristocracy ousted from its familial seats of power, in favor of the fashionable world of Bath. Landed responsibility is given up for a hollow world of rented rooms and social display. The aristocracy is replaced in their hallowed hall by members of the new meritocracy, the Admiral and Mrs. Croft. The English navy has been world-renowned from the time of the Spanish Armada, in 1588, and played a key role in the expansion of the British Empire; not only does the navy serve as an example of Englishness, it helped create that very notion of national identity. In Persuasion, Austen domesticates the navy, portraying it as one large brotherhood. In fact, Captain Wentworth cancels a trip to his biological brother in order to visit his injured friend, Captain Harville. Officers discuss transporting each other's wives to and fro on their boats,... ... Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. 1813. London: Penguin Classics, 2003. Beer, Gillian. Introduction. Persuasion. By Jane Austen. London: Penguin Classics, 1998. vii-xxviii. Butler, Marilyn. Jane Austen and the War of Ideas. 1975. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1987. Wiltshire, John. Jane Austen and the Body. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992. Works Consulted Austen, Jane. Mansfield Park. 1814. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1998. Austen, Jane. Emma. 1816. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2000. Colley, Linda. Britons: Forging the Nation 1707-1837. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992. Copeland, Edward and Juliet McMaster, eds. The Cambridge Companion to Jane Austen. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997. Johnson, Claudia. Jane Austen: Women, Politics, and the Novel. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1988.

Introducing Speech of UHCL Student

I introduce myself as ________ currently employed as a _______- The right information and the means to use it intelligently can provide an organization an edge over its competitors. Businesses are increasingly looking towards technology not only to realize their short term goals but also to place them strategically for their long term success. This strategy and smart application of technology in Business Processes captivates me.As the process of globalization has reached the frontiers of business, education and technology; it is the only indispensable way for the global organizations to face the challenges of the ever evolving field of technology. I aspire, therefore, to pursue Masters in Management Information Systems at your esteemed University. Throughout my education, I always exhibited a high level of competency and proficiency in my schooling as well as my under graduation.Having scored excellent scores in my higher secondary education, I went on to equip myself with an undergr aduate degree in Instrumentation and Control Engineering, at GNITS, Hyderabad. My career curriculum enhanced my knowledge in subjects like C Programming, Data Structures, Control Systems, Neural Networks, Analytical Instrumentation, Microprocessors, Management Science and Digital Signal Processing. It was during this period that my teachers instilled in me a strong inclination towards Information Management and Computer Programming.During my final year undergraduate course, I presented my project on ‘Color Image Recognition Using Neural Networks'. My project involved coding a programme using MATLAB technology which solves a pattern recognition problem and has a relevance to the filed of Medical Diagnostics, Satellite Imagery and Remote Sensing. As an undergraduate student I also organized an ISTE student chapter symposium, quizzo and mini-project competition. This was made a possibility owing to my excellence in communication skills, technical know-how, analytical aptitude and an intelligent outlook.After my undergraduate education, the strong desire to understand the business process and the requirements of the industry propelled me to accept an employment before pursuing graduate studies. My employment as a Software Engineer at Accenture, a global fortune 500 company, demonstrates my overall aptitude.I found this to be a very good opportunity to gain training and real time work experience in the Information Management domain with primary focus on DW/BI – Data warehousing/ Business Intelligence. Having worked for over 2.5+ years, now I have gained good knowledge on the overall SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle), picked up a few additional skills like Data Modeling techniques, SQL/PLSQL, and experienced with different flavors of UNIX,. This exposure to DW/BI sphere even fostered my interests further in Information Systems Management. Accenture, with its rich heritage in consulting and technology has provided me ample opportunities to gain doma in specific experience and to the ability to provide innovative BI solutions.My project in DW/BI capability was in the consumer goods and services domain for Astra Zeneca, a client, which is a leading pharmaceutical company. My project at _____ was based on an onshore – offshore operating model and it required me to interact closely with the onsite team as well as the client team. This helped me gain new insight into oracle BI tools and also resulted in a training stint at the onsite (Milan) . The time I spent Onsite, in Milan, broadened my vision, had great value additions and helped me become a fully rounded DW/BI professional.Working in the Information Management domain enabled me to gain confidence and to be appreciative of the subjects of MIS and also encouraged me to shoulder bigger responsibilities. My competency and leadership skills were rewarded by my company which awarded me with prestigious Young Achievers Award (2008) and also Best Team Award as mark of my outsta nding performance and contribution. I have done well in all my engagements and have always delivered to the utmost satisfaction of the client.I was successful in taking up Oracle vendor certifications with 100%. I feel it a privilege to have come up first in elocution, debates and other language proficiency competitions held at a district level during my school days. I also showed an aptitude towards innovative skills by participating and winning several prizes in science exhibitions and other technical events. During my under graduation I presented several technical papers which were highly appreciated. I also took active part and  volunteered for social service and community events. All these activities have helped me to develop into multifaceted personality with strong interpersonal skills.I aspire to pursue M. S. in Management Information Systems (MS-MIS) because of my strong interest in information technology and its applications to business settings. I have seen how informat ion systems can serve as a bridge between technology and business by supporting its planning, operations and critical decision making.Now through MIS program I desire to refine my skills and deliver technology-driven business solutions for global organizations to meet their strategic objectives. I believe that MIS program at University of Houston, Clear Lake will enhance my knowledge and help me greatly in attaining my career goals. Amidst the brilliant academic setting of UHCL, I desire to gain the expertise and eventually make an indispensable contribution to the field of Information Systems. It is with sincere hope that I look forward to be a part of UHCL

Brian Eno Essay

We all know that everything has started to change in music with the recording technology. What we qualified something really important in music in the past, such as history, time and place etc. , today, in a sense, they start to lose their â€Å"value†. Before explaining the idea of Brian Eno, i want to mention what we discuss before him. Previously, we discussed Benjamin, Gould who supported the opposite sides of one point and i think the main point of these discussions is ‘the aura of the music has started to destroy with the recording technology’, accordingly, ‘time and the place’ have started to lose their value too. Of course, Brian Eno discussed the time line, while he was mentioning his idea. Brian Eno is an English musician, composer, record producer, music theorist, singer and visual artist. On his essay, ‘Studio as a Compositional Tool’, he mentions that an artist can start his composition in a recording studio without having any idea about creating his work. In other words, starting a work in scratch , starting a work without an available idea and at this moment ‘the time line’ appears. If an artist has a specific idea to create his work, this idea evolved slowly. So, music comes into exist. In a way, the artist has got a direction and he knows what he can do, and also he can guess the finished product before he starts his composition. By this way, two things become important; the beginning of the work and the end of the work. Time line becomes important in this style of production. On the other hand, Brian Eno approaches it differently. An artist does not have to have a specific idea before going to recording studio, he does not have to carry his idea to the future. He can start to create his work with observing its transformations at the very moment in studio. For this idea, people are not able to know what the product will be in the end. So, the artist has not any concern to assimilate his work to his idea. The product started progress at the moment and it will end up like that. Trying to create a work with an available idea is different from creating a work without any available idea. According to Brian Eno, people do not have to have a specific idea to create a composition. The beginning of the work can give the artists an idea and they can develop it, transform it while observing its progression. The sounds are changing and when an artist listens them, a new idea can come  into his mind and he can intervene in it. It goes like this. There is a thing people are not able to know: the result of this product, just like life. People born, grow up, while they are growing up, they learn something, they make mistakes and they try to fix them, they try to do not make these mistakes again, these actions continue to happen but they do not know what will happen tomorrow. They do not know what happens next. Time passes, time goes on but where it goes? We do not know. In addition to this, do we have to know? I do not think so. While the classical compositions are formed, the artist has an idea in his mind before forming it and the composition is formed with this direction, this idea. In other words, the artist knows what it is going to be at the end. Apart from that, the artist should know the history of music, he is able to play at least one instrument, he should also know writing scores. So, he should know how to transform his idea into object technically but people do not need this. Of course the artist should know something, he has knowledge about music a little bit, but it is not the only thing to create a composition. The artist also must not have idea about his work before starting his work like how classical compositions work. The artist has no idea about the result of his product when he starts his work without any idea. Because of this situation, he does not have any connection with the past. There are only an artist and a studio and this artist tries to produce a product at the moment contrary to classical composition style. â€Å"Being there at this moment â€Å" is really important. While mentioning to create a work at the exact moment, there is a painter , who is Jackson Pallock. Of course, he might have idea, when he painted his paintings but if you look at his paintings, you can easily see the action and it is not possible to decide these ideas before starting to paint. The exact moment is more important than the idea at his works. Here comes again this situation: â€Å"Being there at the moment.† Just like what Eno is doing. He is also affected by him. In classical composition, we can mention the relation between the artist and the product. There is another thing; when an artist started his work with a specific idea, there is a risk to fail because, you have things to compare ,  you have chance to compare your idea and your product. But according to Brian Eno, there is no place for failure because, the artist does not have enough thing to compare, he does not have an idea, he has only product. When classical composition finishes, the performer and the acoustical environment, the concert hall are also affected the composition. By this way, it is so hard to know exactly the idea of the composer. The performer cannot give the feeling or the environment does not give the same sound. With the recording technology, something has started to change in a good way. In recording studio environment, people have chance to interfere in the acoustic environment. Of course there is certain limits but people are able to do it. Because of this situation, the limits are more larger than the times before the recording. People are able to change the sounds with the recording tech, they do not have this chance to do it with their acoustic instruments. On the other hand, many people, who have not enough ability to play an instrument, have chance to make music and this is really good development. Just like, what Brian Eno said: â€Å" I can neither read nor write music, i cannot play any instruments.† The technology makes it possible, makes the limits more larger, gives a change to come into existence for â€Å"different music†. It is so nice, and it is eccentrical. *Music is all around us, all you have to do is listen. *

Impact of Wikileaks on the Global Political and Economic Landscape Essay

Introduction WikiLeaks website has changed the profession of journalism in the United States and the media perspective with its flow in the information society. The website is a platform that helps unmask all the corruption activities going on in the government offices. Of all the media platforms WikiLeaks is the most famous for the news updates on political matters happening in the states and around the globe. Wilileaks has contributed to several media conflicts especially between the United States and other nations and that is why the government does not support its activities at all. In my essay, I am going to explore the various ways in which WikiLeaks has helped unmask several criminal and corruption activities going on in the country. Although some of its news are a bit compromising to the security and dignity of the nation the platform has given light to the people of the United States of America. Wikileaks is a non-profitable and non-commercial internet platform that was introduced in 2006 by Julia Assage. It relies on online donation for all its functioning and funding. Its main purpose is to upload documents that help expose the government and corporate institutions to the public. These documents are uploaded anonymously by using an online submission form. The importance of this platform is that it has the potential to make known the scale of brutality and violence especially in the military welfare. Political honesty is a virtue that every U S politician should exercise and with the help of Wikileaks they have no option but observe it. In other words, a journalist platform watchdog makes secrets transparent to all and especially those involving the public. Most media organization has tried to view groups like WikiLeaks in several dimensions with most of them considering its concrete actions as one of the online activism and the impacts of its actions. It is important to first note the relationship between the two groups, media and government. In most incidences the media always seems to be conflicting with the government over issues regarding the people. Platforms like WikiLeaks are great threat to the state government especially in issues of corruption and law (Shirky, 2011, p.41). Through their online activism, Anonymous and WikiLeaks groups have their power to â€Å"unmask† power structures like the corrupt police departments in the US, and all the Armison brutality activities. While WikiLeaks has gained fame as a whistle blowing site since its introduction in 2006, its reputation increased when it released the so-called Iraq and Afghanistan war document in 2010. This document contained crucial and important information about the events that took place and the people and nations responsible for the war. The United States government was not happy with the release of these documents as they posed great danger of terror attacks by either Iraq or Afghanistan. These two countries are known for their fierce terrorism activities and interfering with them would be like provoking them. The release of these documents brought about a number of questions concerning the legal implication of journalism freedom with top government officials claiming that too much freedom will lead to misuse of information or misinterpretation of some crucial and sensitive information (Springer, 2014, p.411).Actions of WikiLeaks have affected the media platform in various concrete ways. The likes of Tambini and Lynch have tried to investigate the implication of WikiLeaks work and the measures to regulate the censorship of related sites especially in the UK and US. They argue that whistle blowing organizations should be awarded protection under the law on their ability to â€Å"self-regulate† and â€Å"develop† ethical principles to govern their freedom of publication and decisions they make on their work. The platform poses a great threat to the government and politicians and there are fears that if allowed to continue with its activities it will cause a lot of harm to the U S government by exposing sensitive government secrets to the world. Other nations also feel that WikiLeaks should be restricted on some publications because some of the information it exposes might cause a lot of friction especially between nations. The advancement of WikiLeaks since its establishment up to the publication of the Iraq and Afghanistan document was marked by a degree of media fascination, which made it gain a lot of fame compared to other media platforms. This posed a great threat to the media personalities who felt that WikiLeaks was gaining fame with each passing day making their work very difficult to appeal their audience. Its turnaround moment came in 2010 and continued to 2011 when the organization produced a lot of materials and documents regarding the Iraq war, the Collateral Murder Video and the diplomatic cable. There have been several attempts by media organizations to look down on the role of cites like WikiLeaks and deny them the freedom to post confidential documents although these attempts have not succeeded because the platform is under the media authority which protects all its activities. It also describes itself as a watchdog for the people â€Å"we believe that it is not only the people of the United States who should keep their government honest but also people from other countries† and that is why other countries are also opposing Wikileaks activities. (Pozen, 2013, p.635). We can say that wikiLeaks has played a great role in ensuring that congress does not abuse the powers granted to it and its members. He makes information about organizations that abuse powers granted to them available to the public and so they are aware of what their leaders do this makes leaders very keen on what they do. Anonymous submission of analyzed documents about the various activities going on in public offices and organizations are presented on the WikiLeaks website enabling millions of viewers to have knowledge of what is happening behind the curtains of power. The difference between WikiLeaks and other sites like Wikipedia is that it engages mostly in the political struggles. The use of media has become a trend in the United States making the latter transparent and exposing those who try to abuse office powers granted to them. Today we live in a world where technology is the main aspect to shaping the lives of many people. The internet is now being used as an eye of power to tackle various aspects of crimes performed by leaders especially in third world countries (Coleman, 2014, p.406). Based on various aspects of tradition we can define power as the â€Å"disposition over the means required to influence various processes and decisions in our daily lives.† this means that the power to control several issues like political influences and distribution of resources can be distributed in a more systematic way. Democracy is the only way to ensure there is equal distribution and exercise of both political and cultural powers. Organizations like WikiLeaks exist because we live in an era where political and cultural powers are not exercised fairly as expected. Any government that exercises its powers as expected should not have any worries about organizations set to scan their activities. They should instead be supporting such groups so that they can display their good work on these sites. The United States government highly opposes such organizations like Wikileaks because they are afraid that their dirty linens will be exposed to the public. Analysis shows that the most important element of WikiLeaks is to make the Obama government practice transparency in their works and offices, establish a more transparent, and open government. The platform defines itself as a liberal project that protects the rights of the United States people especially freedom of speech because it strengthens democracy by exposing government corruption. He places his emphasis on documenting government and corporate irresponsibility and abuse of powers. This shows the general public that the corrupt government is the main problem in the world’s economy and is pulling development behind. Instead of improving the livelihood of their nations politicians are busy engaging themselves embezzling funds and resources meant to improve the development of their citizens. There has been an emerging body geared at seeking a framework to examine the works of WikiLeaks and its impact on the current situation in the U S. The widespread use of technology has made his work a success in various ways and has brought a great impact to the world’s economy. Following the publication of the Iraq documents the United States government heavily criticized WikiLeaks work. The government claimed that these documents were a great threat to the security of their country and could put the citizens at a very high risk of terror attacks by the Afghanistan government (Springer, 2014, p.411). The truth about the WikiLeaks documents is that they got the potential and ability to make visible the amount of brutality and violence especially in military horror conflicts during their activities because some use a lot of brutality on their subjects. The site is political based since most of its news come from the political arena, although many view it as a threat to ruling groups and they see it as an enemy. Instead criticizing such cites we should base our efforts in monitoring the governance offered by our political leaders. We should ask ourselves are our political leaders meeting all our demands and expectations. Do they take advantage of the powers granted to them to abuse office? In fact, we should ensure that we capture every activity they undertake so that we can be sure of what they do with our money. They should be aware that the public is watching their every move and be conscious of their actions. There has been a problem with scientists arguing that the journalism powers and freedom granted to these sites are too much and they are using them inappropriately to create biased information. Most leaders are unable to verify the facts stated in the articles because they do not have a strong background. This makes the general public doubt their potential and innocence in the accused incidents. Some of these articles have very confidential information about the government and exposing them is like displaying the secrets of a state. The scientist claims that there should be a certain limit to the freedom of publication of such documents to the internet because they may cause a great damage in future (Gibson 2013, p. 314). In my study, I have explored several things and have learnt that; journalism benefits from a disclosure of the framework in which it is built. A journalism model is bound to directly or in directly affects the model in which leaking of important documents will be exposed to the public. In my opinion, WikiLeaks models are the most effective journalism models since they abide to the entire ethic. Real life cases are always the best examples to handle and solve situations and that is why it is advisable in some situations to leave behind the easy scenarios to get the best outcome to fit in the world. Most critiques of Wikileaks have released their anger by claiming that exposing secret documents will pose great danger to Americans. For instance, if you expose concrete information about a certain terror group the group is bound to take revenge on you by conducting a terror attack on you. Some of the publishers do not look at the possibilities of posing danger to the people but stick to the fact that the public has the right to know what is happening around them regardless of the intensity of the matter. It is therefore advisable that these journalists are cautious of what they publish to the public to avoid any conflicts. I believe that journalists have the right to publish what they want and help the public know about their government on the basis that they abide by the rules put in place to govern their publications. References Curran, G, & Gibson, M 2013, ‘WikiLeaks, Anarchism and Technologies of Dissent’,  Antipode,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   45, 2, pp.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   294-314, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 28 November    2014. Springer, S, Chi, H, Crampton, J, McConnell, F, Cupples, J, Glynn, K, Warf, B, & Attewell, W   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2012, ‘Leaky   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Geopolitics: The Ruptures and Transgressions of WikiLeaks’,  Geopolitics,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   17, 3, pp. 681-711,    Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 28 November   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2014. Youngblood Coleman, D 2014, ‘United States: 2014 Country Review’,  United States Country Review, pp.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1-981, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 28 November   Ã‚  Ã‚   2014. Coleman, DY 2014, ‘Afghanistan’,  Afghanistan Country Review, pp. 2-406, Business Source   Ã‚   Complete,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   EBSCOhost, viewed 28 November 2014. Pozen, DE 2013, ‘The Leaky Leviathan: Why The Government Condemns   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   And Condones   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Unlawful Disclosures Of Information’,  Harvard   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Law Review, 127, 2, pp. 512-635,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 28   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   November 2014. Shirky, C 2011, ‘The Political Power of Social Media’,  Foreign Affairs, 90, 1, pp. 28-41,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Academic Search   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 28 November 2014.   

Information Systems Essay

Information systems are the foundation for conducting business today. In many industries, survival and even existence without extensive use of IT is inconceivable, and IT plays a critical role in increasing productivity. Although information technology has become more of a commodity, when coupled with complementary changes in organization and management, it can provide the foundation for new products, services, and ways of conducting business that provide firms with a strategic advantage. 3. What exactly is an information system? How does it work? What are its management, organization and technology components? * Define an information system and describe the activities it performs. An information system is a set of interrelated components that work together to collect, process, store, and disseminate information to support decision making, coordination, control, analysis, and visualization in an organization. In addition to supporting decision making, information systems may also help managers and workers analyze problems, visualize complex subjects, and create new products. * List and describe the organizational, management, and technology dimensions of information systems. Organization: The organization dimension of information systems involves issues such as the organization’s hierarchy, functional specialties, business processes, culture, and political interest groups. Management: The management dimension of information systems involves setting organizational strategies, allocating human and financial resources, creating new products and services and re-creating the organization if necessary. Technology: The technology dimension consists of computer hardware, software, data management technology, and networking/telecommunications technology. * Distinguish between data and information and between information systems literacy and computer literacy. Information literacy: is the ability to find, learn and use information. It doesn’t rely on what you can remember but what you can locate and use. The process of learning in an information literate environment involves being able to find the information rather than memorize it. Computer literacy: is the ability to use the computer. This is an understanding of how to use productivity software on the computer such as word processing, excel, and powerpoint presentation researchs. It is also having knowlege on how to use the internet, collabaration tools, and technology. 4. What are complementary assets? Why are complementary assets essential for ensuring that information systems provide genuine value for an organization? * Define complementary assets and describe their relationship to information technology. Complementary assets are those assets required to derive value from a primary investment. Firms must rely on supportive values, structures, and behavior patterns to obtain a greater value from their IT investments. Value must be added through complementary assets such as new business processes, management behavior, organizational culture, and training. * Describe the complementary social, managerial, and organizational assets required to optimize returns from information technology investments. Organizational assets: * Supportive culture that values efficiency and effectiveness * Appropriate business model * Efficient business processes * Decentralized authority Managerial assets: * Strong senior management support for technology investment and change * Incentives for management innovation * Teamwork and collaborative work environments Social assets: * The Internet and telecommunications infrastructure * IT-enriched educational programs raising labor force computer literacy * Standards (both government and private sector) Chapter 2 1. What are business processes? How are they related to information systems? * Define business processes and describe the role they play in organizations. Â  A business process is a logically related set of activities that define how specific business tasks are performed. Business processes are the ways in which organizations coordinate and organize work activities, information, and knowledge to produce their valuable products or services. How well a business performs depends on how well its business processes are designed and coordinated. Well-designed business processes can be a source of competitive strength for a company if it can use the processes to innovate or perform better than its rivals. Conversely, poorly designed or executed business processes can be a liability if they are based on outdated ways of working and impede responsiveness or efficiency. * Describe the relationship between information systems and business processes. Information systems automate manual business processes and make an organization more efficient. Data and information are available to a wider range of decision-makers more quickly when information systems are used to change the flow of information. Tasks can be performed simultaneously rather than sequentially, speeding up the completion of business processes. Information systems can also drive new business models that perhaps wouldn’t be possible without the technology. 3. How do systems that link the enterprise improve organizational performance? * Explain how enterprise applications improve organizational performance. Â  An organization operates in an ever-increasing competitive and global environment. The successful organization focuses on the efficient execution of its processes, customer service, and speed to market. Enterprise applications provide an organization with a consolidated view of its operations across different functions, levels, and business units. Enterprise applications allow an organization to efficiently exchange information among its functional areas, business units, suppliers, and customers. * Define enterprise systems, supply chain management systems, customer relationship management systems, and knowledge management systems and describe their business benefits. Enterprise systems integrate the key business processes of an organization into a single central data repository. This makes it possible for information that was previously fragmented in different systems to be shared across the firm and for different parts of the business to work more closely together. Business benefits include: * Information flows seamlessly throughout an organization, improving coordination, efficiency, and decision making. * Gives companies the flexibility to respond rapidly to customer requests while producing and stocking only that inventory necessary to fulfill existing orders. * Increases customer satisfaction by improving product shipments, minimizing costs, and improving a firm’s performance. * Improves decision making by improving the quality of information for all levels of management. That leads to better analyses of overall business performance, more accurate sales and production forecasts, and higher profitability. In short, supply chain management systems help businesses better manage relationships with their suppliers. Objective of SCM: Get the right amount of products from the companies’ source to their point of consumption with the least amount of time and with the lowest cost. SCM provides information to help suppliers, purchasing firms, distributors, and logistics companies share information about orders, production, inventory levels, and delivery of products and services so that they can source, produce, and deliver goods and services efficiently. SCM helps organizations achieve great efficiencies by automating parts of these processes or by helping organizations rethink and streamline these processes. SCM is important to a business because through its efficiency it can coordinate, schedule, and control the delivery of products and services to customers. Business benefits include: * Decide when and what to produce, store, and move * Rapidly communicate orders * Track the status of orders * Check inventory availability and monitor inventory levels * Reduce inventory, transportation, and warehousing costs * Track shipments * Plan production based on actual customer demand * Rapidly communicate changes in product design Customer relationship management systems: enable a business to better manage its relationships with existing and potential customers. With the growth of the Web, potential customers can easily comparison shop for retail and wholesale goods and even raw materials, so treating customers better has become very important. Business benefits include: * CRM systems provide information to coordinate all the business processes that deal with customers in sales, marketing, and service to optimize revenue, customer satisfaction, and customer retention. This information helps firms identify, attract, and retain the most profitable customers; provide better service to existing customers; and increase sales. * CRM systems consolidate customer data from multiple sources and provide analytical tools for answering questions such as: What is the value of a particular customer to the firm over his/her lifetime? * CRM tools integrate a business’s customer-related processes and consolidate customer information from multiple communication channels, giving the customer a consolidated view of the company. * Detailed and accurate knowledge of customers and their preferences help firms increase the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns and provide higher-quality customer service and support. Knowledge management systems : enable organizations to better manage processes for capturing and applying knowledge and expertise. These systems collect all relevant knowledge and experience in the firm, and make it available wherever and whenever it is needed to improve business processes and management decisions. They also link the firm to external sources of knowledge. Business benefits include: * KMS support processes for acquiring, storing, distributing, and applying knowledge, as well as processes for creating new knowledge and integrating it into the organization. * KMS include enterprise-wide systems for managing and distributing documents, graphics, and other digital knowledge objects; systems for creating corporate knowledge directories of employees with special areas of expertise; office systems for distributing knowledge and information; and knowledge work systems to facilitate knowledge creation. * KMS use intelligent techniques that codify knowledge and experience for use by other members of the organization and tools for knowledge discovery that recognize patterns and important relationships in large pools of data. * Explain how intranets and extranets help firms integrate information and business processes. Â  Because intranets and extranets share the same technology and software platforms as the Internet, they are easy and inexpensive ways for companies to increase integration and expedite the flow of information within the company (intranets alone) and with customers and suppliers (extranets). They provide ways to distribute information and store corporate policies, programs, and data. Both types of nets can be customized by users and provide a single point of access to information from several different systems. 5. What is the role of the information systems function in a business? * Describe how the information systems function supports a business. Â  The information systems departments is the formal organizational unit responsible for information technology services. The information systems department is responsible for maintaining the hardware, software, data storage, and networks that comprise the firm’s IT infrastructure. Compare the roles played by programmers, systems analysts, information systems managers, the chief information officer (CIO), chief security officer (CSO), and chief knowledge officer (CKO). * Programmers are highly trained technical specialists who write the software instructions for computers. * Systems analysts constitute the principal liaisons between the information systems groups and the rest of the organization. The systems analyst’s job is to translate business problems and requirements into information requirements and systems. * Information systems managers lead teams of programmers and analysts, project managers, physical facility managers, telecommunications mangers, or database specialists. * Chief information officer (CIO) is a senior manager who oversees the use of information technology in the firm. * Chief security officer (CSO) is responsible for information systems security in the firm and has the principle responsibility for enforcing the firm’s information security policy. The CSO is responsible for educating and training users and IS specialists about security, keeping management aware of security threats and breakdowns, and maintaining the tools and policies chosen to implement security. * Chief knowledge officer (CKO) helps design programs and systems to find new sources of knowledge or to make better use of existing knowledge in organizational and management processes.